Maelstrom

Chapter 39

Ruse's POV

Haki, a form of mysterious power born from spiritual energy that grants the user power in three different ways.

To achieve Haki, one must first have a strong spiritual prowess, a goal, dedication, determination.

There were three different types of Haki, which Mihawk had explained to you as he sat you down in the main hall, pulling out a heap of dusty old books, plopping them in your lap before nodding to you, as if encouraging you to read the material he just provided you with. You had been studying the books in front of you for a couple hours already, yet they were strangely fascinating. You learnt that the three types of Haki were listed in the book as:

Armament Haki, also known as Busoshoku Haki: Allows the user to cover their body with an invisible sense of armor, spiritual armor that shields attacks, or even enforces an attack, roughly put. Once fully able to use this Haki, the user can even cover their whole body with Armament Haki. Can be used on logia-type devil fruit eaters, commonly used at both a defensive move and yet also commonly used as an offensive move.

Observation Haki, also known as Kenbunshoku Haki: Allows the user to see and perceive things most people would normally not be able to see. Once fully trained in this type of Haki, it can even be used to briefly glimpse into the future. Roughly put, allows the user to see 'invisible enemies, allies, movements, etc.' as a foresight type of Haki.

Conqueror's Haki, also known as Haoshoku Haki: Allows the user to intimidate or even incapacitate enemies, not much is known about this Haki since it is extremely rare, only a select few people have obtained this type of Haki. Roughly put, if one's willpower is strong enough then this Haki allows the willpower to be turned into spiritual strength, a strong and versatile Haki.

The book had gone into more depth as you proceeded to continue to read, fascinated by the new information that you were soaking up.

Mihawk had been resting in a lounge chair nearby, glancing up at you occasionally to see how much progress you had made, giving you a warm smile as you grinned at him, thanking him for his guidance. He was a rather strange one, but he was your teacher now, so you might as well learn everything you possibly can from him. After all, not too many people could say they were the students of the world's greatest swordsmen, so that was always an additional bonus. You had already immersed yourself in the books sprawled out around you, failing to see that your teacher had been glancing back at you every couple of minutes, studying you intently. His warm golden eyes had softened as he saw your dedication, flying through the pages almost faster than he had originally. You hum excitedly as you pick up the next book, dusting off any dirt from the cover, studying the title before opening it.

"The Art of Swordplay"

Huh, interesting.

You look up at your teacher, grinning at him mischievously as you hold up the book in hand, gesturing at it while wagging your eyebrows.

"Oi, Shishō, this looks interesting, We should play with some of your swords. Teach me the way of a perfect model gentleman will you? Pretty please?" You bat your eyelashes as you try and maintain your innocent expression but you couldn't hold it for long.

Laughter rings out around the room, as you giggle, immensely amused by the innuendos in this book. Mihawk looks at you exasperatedly, a faint blush tinging his cheeks before he coughs, clearing his throat.

"Argenti." He glares at you, most likely vexed that you somehow insulted him and flirted with him at the same time, what could you say though? It was a talent.

You grin back at him, blinking your golden eyes coyly in a fashion of false innocence.

"Yes Shishō?" You urge him on, stifling a bubble of laughter as he sighs before rubbing his face, likely tired of your antics.

You snicker, lifting yourself up from your previous seat, slinking over to your teacher.

"Aww...c'mon, just a little. I mean, you're the best of the best aren't you? You only have to show me a little...just the tip, c'mon, what's the harm?" You couldn't help but chuckle as you see him flush, averting his eyes as he turns away from you. Aww, that was too precious. You lean further into his space, books forgotten, a new mission in mind.

Mihawk Dracule was a very handsome man, a proud man, though a man nonetheless, why was he the one blushing right now? Was he really that pure? You gasp, maybe he just had been so focused on learning the art of the sword that he never had time for women! How sad, you sigh in sympathy for the man. And then you formulate a clever little idea, leveling him with a pointed look before grinning evilly as you slowly sidle closer to him. His golden eyes narrow as you creep closer, shooting you a look of 'don't you dare.' You reply with a cheeky grin of your own before he glares at you, so grouchy. You sigh dramatically, then you nod as if you had given up. But you were Ruse D. Argenti, if you wanted to get something done, nothing could stop you! With that in mind, you dart out your hand, wrapping it around the hidden blade tucked under his belt you had spotted earlier. Mihawk lets out a soft noise of surprise, hands clenching from his sides as he glares harder, which you pointedly ignore in favor of pulling the rest of the blade out.

A twelve inch dagger, encrusted with a small ruby at the hilt, silver metal gleaming softly back up at you.

How beautiful. You let out a low whistle in appreciation.

"Woah Shishō, this is gorgeous. Where'd you get her at?" You question, perched atop the arm of the lounge chair next to the man in question.

No response. Huh? Did he not hear you? You try again, leaning closer towards your teacher, your mouth inches away from his ear, that way he couldn't say he hadn't heard you.

He had a scent of cinnamon and roses coming from him. Peculiar, but not a bad scent necessarily, in fact it smelt quite good. Pleasant on your already sensitive nose. Huh, you wondered if he used a cologne or if he naturally smelled that good. Would that be a weird question? Most likely. Your sense of smell had already been acutely accurate, though with your devil fruit you had recently eaten, you wondered if it had empowered your senses.

Speaking of weird questions, you still had yet to ask him why the both of you shared the same eye color, or at the very least, a very similar coloring...it was a bit perplexing. Guess you'll just wait to ask until tomorrow.

"Shishō, you're not upset are you?" You ask, feeling playful as he continues to ignore you, glaring up at the ceiling, sighing dejectedly.

What was his problem? You shrug as you continue to observe the dagger, caressing the cold metal with your hands, careful to not nick yourself on the edge of the blade. It was actually very beautiful in all fairness, you turn it over, looking for any engravings or some sort of emblem, yet saw nothing. Huh, oh well, it was still a wicked looking blade.

You glance back at Mihawk, still in the same position, looking as if he were cursing the gods. His golden eyes burning, jaw clenched tightly, was it in anger? Huh, well, it's not like he had said anything to you in response, how were you supposed to know?

His hands were still curled tightly against his sides, breath uneven, a growl building up from his chest, rumbling lowly. With another grin you slip the dagger back in the spot it belonged, cautious to not nick your teacher as you tuck in underneath his belt. He breathes heavily as you finish placing the dagger to its rightful place, tossing him a sly smile.

"Well then Shishō, I'm gonna take some of this up to my room for some light reading. Good night Swordmaster." You laugh as you tease him, patting his leg in a comforting gesture and proceed to gather up the books.

Without looking back, you make your way to your room he had shown you earlier.

Hopefully by tomorrow your teacher would regain his bearings, but even if he didn't it wouldn't bother you too much. After all, without Shanks you hadn't had anyone to tease or banter with, maybe Mihawk would be able to keep up with your shenanigans.

Either way, tomorrow was going to be your first real day of training, it's not like it could be that bad, right?

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